Petronas’ Offshore Suriname Exploration: Drilling Activities in Block 52 as of July 2025

Written by Marcel Chin-A-Lien – Petroleum & Energy Insights Advisor – Published on July 4, 2025

Introduction

Suriname’s offshore oil and gas sector, situated in the prolific Suriname-Guyana Basin, continues to attract global attention due to its significant hydrocarbon discoveries.

Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company, is a leading operator in this region, particularly in Block 52.

As of July 3, 2025, the Noble Developer (formerly Maersk Developer), a deepwater semisubmersible rig, is actively drilling at coordinates Lat. 7.94245, Long. -56.7631.

This essay examines the well, block, and operating company involved, integrating insights from the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) legacy files, particularly the Draft Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) for Block 52 Exploration Drilling, to provide a comprehensive overview of Petronas’ activities.

Main Findings: Drilling Activity in Block 52

Research, including data from the NIMOS EIA Repository, indicates that the Noble Developer is most likely drilling the Caiman-1 exploration well in Block 52, operated by Petronas Suriname E&P B.V. Key findings include:

• Well and Location: The Caiman-1 well, located at Lat. 7.94245, Long. -56.7631, approximately 170–185 km north of Paramaribo, is part of Petronas’ 2025 drilling campaign in Block 52, targeting Campanian sandstone reservoirs in water depths of 1,000–1,100 meters.
• NIMOS Insights: The Draft EMMP for Block 52 Exploration Drilling, available for public comment until July 14, 2025, via the NIMOS EIA Repository, provides site-specific data, including seabed topography, marine biodiversity baselines, and environmental management measures for the drilling site. These measures address spill prevention, waste management, and marine ecosystem protection, ensuring compliance with Suriname’s environmental regulations. NIMOS EIA Repository
• Drilling Campaign: Petronas’ $84 million contract with Noble Corp, initiated in June 2025, involves drilling three wells, including Caiman-1 and Kiskadee-1, with an estimated 86-day duration for Caiman-1. Splash247
• Operator and Rig: Petronas, holding a 100% interest in Block 52 post-ExxonMobil’s exit in November 2024, employs the Noble Developer, which previously drilled Sloanea-1 and Fusaea-1 in the block. Oilfield Technology

Context of Petronas’ Operations in Suriname

Petronas operates Blocks 48, 52, 63, and 66, with a non-operated 30% interest in Block 64. Block 52, spanning 4,749 km², has been a cornerstone of its success, with three prior discoveries:

Year	Well Name	Discovery Type	Depth (m)	Notes
2020	Sloanea-1	Hydrocarbon	4,780	First discovery, drilled by Noble Developer.
2023	Roystonea-1	Oil	5,315	Oil-bearing Campanian sandstone, under evaluation.
2024	Fusaea-1	Oil and Gas	5,227	Third discovery, spudded February 2024, evaluation for tie-in.
2025	Caiman-1	Exploration	TBD	Likely being drilled as of July 3, 2025.
2025	Kiskadee-1	Exploration	TBD	Planned for 2025, likely to follow Caiman-1.

These discoveries highlight Block 52’s potential, with Petronas evaluating commerciality for a possible FPSO unit, potentially producing 100,000 barrels per day, as estimated by Wood Mackenzie. JPT[](https://jpt.spe.org/petronas-suriname-discovery-likely-big-enough-for-a-100-000-b-d-fpso)

NIMOS Legacy Files: Environmental and Site Details

The NIMOS EIA Repository’s Draft EMMP for Block 52 Exploration Drilling provides critical pre-drilling information for the Caiman-1 site, ensuring compliance with Suriname’s environmental regulations. Key details include:

• Site-Specific Data: The EMMP likely includes seabed topography, sediment characteristics, and baseline marine biodiversity data for the drilling site at Lat. 7.94245, Long. -56.7631, supporting environmental risk assessments.
• Environmental Management: Measures outlined include spill prevention, drilling waste management, and monitoring of marine species (e.g., cetaceans, turtles) to protect the Suriname-Guyana Basin’s ecosystems.
• Public Engagement: The document, open for comments until July 14, 2025, reflects NIMOS’ commitment to transparency, with submissions accepted at mea@nmasuriname.org. NIMOS EIA Repository

Prior NIMOS filings, such as the 2016 ESIA for Block 52 exploratory drilling, detailed similar site-specific data, including multibeam bathymetry and sediment sampling, which informed earlier wells like Roselle-1. These legacy files underscore Petronas’ adherence to environmental standards. DocPlayer[](https://docplayer.net/58644218-Environmental-and-social-impact-assessment-for-exploratory-drilling-in-block-52-offshore-suriname.html)

Ruling Out Other Possibilities

Other operators and blocks were considered but ruled out:

• Block 64 (Macaw-1): Operated by TotalEnergies using the Stena DrillMAX, with Petronas as a 30% non-operated partner.
• Block 5 (Korikori-1): Planned for Q4 2025 by Chevron, with no Petronas or Noble Developer involvement.
• Block 58: Previously drilled by the Noble Developer for TotalEnergies, but no 2025 activity is reported.
• Blocks 48, 63, 66: Operated by Petronas, but no confirmed drilling in July 2025; Block 66 wells are planned for 2026.

The Noble Developer’s contract and location align with Block 52 operations. BNamericas[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/petronas-strategic-play-suriname-deepwater-gold-rush-stable-basin-2506/)

LinkedIn post of 3th July, 2025:

” 🚁 An Active Morning at EAG Airport 🌤️

Daily offshore operations in full swing!

This morning we welcomed a Transportes Aéreos Pegaso helicopter arriving from the Stena Drilling of TotalEnergies, while a Bristow Group Helicopter departed to the Noble Corporation drillship supporting PETRONAS.

EAG Airport continues to serve as a vital link for safe and efficient crew changes in the offshore oil and gas sector in Suriname. “

Strategic and Economic Implications

Petronas’ Block 52 activities, supported by advanced 3D seismic surveys (e.g., a 150-day survey by Shearwater Geoservices), aim to de-risk exploration and optimize resource identification. The Caiman-1 well could unlock significant reserves, contributing to Suriname’s economic growth and global energy markets. Petronas’ commitment to local workforce engagement and a 10-year tax-free period for gas producers enhances the project’s viability. AInvest[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/petronas-strategic-play-suriname-deepwater-gold-rush-stable-basin-2506/)

Uncertainty and Verification

While the evidence strongly points to Caiman-1, the exact well name is inferred due to limited real-time data. Stakeholders can verify details via Petronas, Staatsolie, or the NIMOS EIA Repository (mea@nmasuriname.org). Continued monitoring is essential to confirm drilling progress and environmental compliance.

Reuters, 5th July, 2025:

” PARAMARIBO – Petronas will begin drilling on Sunday, the first of three wells in an exploration campaign aimed at finding additional oil reserves at its offshore Block 52 in Suriname, state company Staatsolie said in a release on Saturday.“

Conclusion

The Noble Developer is likely drilling the Caiman-1 well in Block 52 for Petronas as of July 3, 2025, supported by the NIMOS Draft EMMP, which ensures environmental stewardship. This activity reinforces Petronas’ leadership in Suriname’s offshore sector, with potential to transform the region’s energy landscape. For further details, consult NIMOS EIA Repository, Splash247, and BNamericas.[](https://sites.google.com/view/nimos-eia-repository/recent-studies)[](https://www.ainvest.com/news/petronas-strategic-play-suriname-deepwater-gold-rush-stable-basin-2506/)

About the author:

Marcel Chin-A-Lien

Petroleum and Energy Advisor

48 Years of Global, in-depth expertise, knowhow and insights.

That have generated transformative, multi billion giant fields discoveries, iconic first capitalistic new ventures in the USSR, bid rounds, added value and long term cash flow generating offshore exploration and production activities on Dutch North Sea, M&A, PSC designs, Contract negotiations.

Combined with a cross & trans discipline background of 4 petroleum post grad degrees, that fuse technical, business, commercial and management disciplines, accompanied by fluency in 7 languages in a variety of geographical, socio-cultural and business landscapes. 

“ Exploration & Production integrated with Business & Commercial Development and Critical Insights “

Drs – Petroleum Geology
Engineering Geologist – Petroleum Geology

Executive MBA International Business – Petroleum – M&A
MSc International Management – Petroleum

Energy Negotiator Association of International Negotiators (AIEN)

Certified Petroleum Geologist # 5201 – American Association Petroleum Geologists – Gold standard Certification
Chartered European Geologist # 92    – European Federation of Geologists – Gold standard Certification

Cambridge Award  “ 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century ”, UK – Gold standard Award
Paris Awards  “ Innovative New Business Projects “, GDF-Suez, France – Two Gold standard Awards, Paris, 2003.

Public Profile: nl.linkedin.com/pub/marcel-chin-a-lien/9/a73/547/

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